Automatic transporting device.



No.85l,649. PATENTED APR. 80, 1907.

W. G. CARR.

AUTOMATIC TRANSPORTING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED EEPT.17.1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Witnesses.

wA'iJL-m @ql ll .dttorney.

x214. MATERIAL OR ARTICLE HANDLING.

No. 851,649. PATENTED APR. 30, 1907.

W. 0. CARR. v AUTOMATIC TRANSPDRTING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17,1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

witnesses- Q @CU'L/z, Inventor.

4 attorney.

PATENTED APR. 30, 1907.

W. 0.- CARR; AUTOMATIC TRANSPORTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17

5 BHEBT8SHEET 3.

m: mmms Pin; cm. WASNINGION, :1 c,

214. MATERIAL OR ARTICLE HANDLING.

. r W. 0. CARR. AUTOMATIC TRANSPORTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SBPT.17,1B06.

5' SHEETS-SHEET 4.

PATENTED APR. 30, 1907.

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Inventor.

PATENTED APR. 30, 1907.

W. G. CARR. AUTOMATIC TRANSPORTINGDEVIGE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17, 1906.

5 SHEET8SHEBT 5.

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Q. @cwu Inventor.

Witnesses.

I *to Fig. 1, showing th [the station and about to pick up the package,the front door of -the package receptacle bea ing open to admit the ingthe side door and Improvement in :UNi rEn s'rA'rns PATENT OFFICE. v

WILLIAM o. CARR, or

BUFFA Q'NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC TRANSPORTING D EVICE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 30, 1907.

Application filed September 1'7, 1906, Serial No- 334.884.

To all whom it may concern.-

citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erieand'State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Automatic.Transporting evices, of which the following is a specificanomicallydelivering and of the invention is to provide means for ecocollectingpackages, mails or other articles to and from a series of stations, themail delivering and collecting mechanism being independent of the ackagedistributing and collecting mechanism.

' .I he invention also relates to the construction of the car and thestations whereby a the stations anda fragment of the tion thereofomitted.

', ing car.

package or packages of irregular shapes and different'sizes can becollected from one or more stations along the route of the car andcarried tothe central station from which the car begins its journey andto which it returns after having visited each station along its Theinvention also relates to certain details of construction all of whichwill be fully and clearly hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying igure 1, is a side elevation of a car, oneof track, showing thercar approaching the station to collect a package.Fig. 2, is a view similar e car passing through ackage. Fig. 3, is anenlarged side view of t e car supported upon the track, the frame of thecar being broken and a portion thereof omitted and the packagereceptacle also being broken and a por- Fig. 4, is an enlargedtransverse section through the track, showing an end view of a stationandana proach- Fig. 5, is an enlarged top plan view of the car supportedupon the track, a horiz nta-l section being ta en through the hood orcover to disclose the mechanism for openejecting the package. Fig. 6, isa top plan view 911 a reduced scale of near a station showing theconstruction of the rail to automatically reduce the speed of the imechanism in the position it assumes when Fig. 10, is an enlarged Fig.5, through the the side door.

tached view of section on line aa, mechanism for opening the slottedclutch member.

removed, showing the side door closed in full lines, and open in dottedlines as when delivering a package.

In referring to the accompanying 1 v s 57 for the details ofconstruction, like numera designate like parts.

In the (preferred form theinvenizion jillustrate inv the drawings, the"delivering and collecting car is sup oite the ground. motors to whichelectricity is v i the rails forming the track. Stations are located atsuitable points along the'track to which deliveries are made and fromwhich I I packages can be collected and brought to the i centralstation.

extend parallel to each other and are supported at the upper ends ofU-shaped brackvertical standards 3. The rails are erably formed ofanglabars of the sectional form illustrated in Fig. 4, and are insulatedfrom the brackets in the usual and well known' manner to prevent theshort circuiting of the'electric current. 1 1

The car.The car consists of two parallel j sides each of which iscomposed of two memtbers, an upper member 5, and a lower mem ber 6,which are separated sufficiently so as to leave a narrow space or slot.7 between them. The upper members 5, are connected by two transversebars 8, and'{he two memhere 5 and 6, of each side are connected byvertically beneath the members 5. This frame is suspended from two axles10, by curved straps 11, so that it hangs between and below the rails 1,the ends of the axles having wheels secured thereto which ride upon therails and support the car;

. Fig. 11, is an cnlarged'dea I Fig. 12, is an enlar ed detached frontview of I the package receptacle. withlthefrontdoor The miZs.The rails1, forming the track,

vertical straps 9, so that themembers 6, are

', showing the f delivering or ejecting a package at a station. Thisinvention relates to an improved automatic transporting system, and theobjectq iit m i which is elevated a suitable distancei'above" D '90 ets2, which are secured to the upper ends of ref ,4 8o The car isoperat-ed' bygielectric con'd'uctedby -me-tal plates The car is drivenby two rotary electric motors 12, which are mounted directly upon theaxles 10, in the-manner shown in Figs. 3

and 4. The electric current for operating the motors is taken from therails 1, by trolley wheels 13, which are j ournaled in the upper'ends oftrolley arms 14, and travel on the under side of the rails 1, as shownin Fig. 4. These arms 14, are pivoted at their lower ends to metalplates 15, which are bolted against the outside of the u per members 5,of the car sides, but insu ated therefrom. Springs 16, maintain thetrolley wheels in contact with the rails;

' Wires 17, conduct the current from the 15, to one of the motors andwires 18, connect the two motors in the well knownand usual way so thatbut one set of trolleys need be employed.

The motors are inclosed within a box or cover 19, which is supported byangular metal bars 20, bolted to the transverse bars mechanism consists8, see Figs. 3 and 4.

Package collecting and delivering mechanism.The package collecting anddelivering of a box-like receptacle having mechanism whereby a packagemay be automatically collected from one or more stations along the routeof the car, and independent mechanism whereby a package which has beenplaced within the receptacle at the central station will beautomatically delivered at any predetermined station 5 rod 24, the endsof which horizontal metal bars 25,

swinging doors 22 along the route. The package receptacle is mountedupon the body proper and is undetachably secured thereto forming apermanent portion of the car structure.

The package receptacle is preferably in the form of a rectangular box21, constructed of Wood or sheet metal and as light as possible,consistent with the necessary strength and rigidity. In the formillustrated the box is made of wood .and the motor box 19, see Figs. 3and 4.

mounted upon the top of being supported thereby, It is provided with twoand 23, located respectively at the front end and the side of thereceptacle. The front door 22, which practically forms the entire frontend of the rec-eptacle is pivoted at its bottom to a horizontal aresupported by secured by screws to the sides of the receptacle. Verticalmetal bars 26, are seated in and secured to the vertical side edges ofthe door 22, with their lower ends pro ecting below the bottom edge ofthe door. These projecting .ends have openings therein through which therod 24 passes, thereby hinging the door to the receptacle, see Figs. 3and 4. 27, encircles the rod 24, and tains the door in a closed door 22,

one of its vertical edges, said arm having a roller 29, pivoted to itslower extremity by a bolt.- The purpose of this arm and roller will behereinafter described.

The mechanism for operating the side door 23, and delivering a packageis illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, to whichreference will be had in the following description. The side door 23, ishinged at its top to one side of the receptacle 21, by hinges 30, so asto swing outwardly as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 12. The mechanismfor opening this door is located upon the top of the receptacle 2'1, andis particularlyillustrated in Figs. 5, S,- 9, and 10. A metal plate 3 issunk into the top of the receptacle 21, so that it is flush with saidtop, and secured in place by countersunk screws. A metal disk 32, havinga short, stout vertically projecting central spindle 33, is fastened tothe metal plate 3], by countersunk screws, being located near the sideof the receptacle 21, opposite the door 23. A comparatively large metaldisk 34, is rotatively mounted upon the spindle 33, disk 32. This disk34, has an annular series of equally spaced vertical openings.35, nearits outer edge, the number of openings being equal to the number ofstations along the route of the car. In the present instance there aretwelve openings in the disk, said openings being consecutively numberedfrom 1 to 12, each station bearing a like number. A-ratchet 36, isrigidly secured in central position upon the upper surface of the disk34, and a horizontal bell crank is fulcrumed or operatively supportedupon the spindle 33, above the ratchet 36, the whole being maintained inposition by a nut screwed upon the upper extremity of the spindle seeFig. 10. The longer arni 37, of the bell crank extends laterally beyondthe side of the receptacle opposite the door 23, and carries a roller38, on a vertical pin or bolt 39, at its outer-extremity. A pawl 40, ispivoted to the under side of the arm 37, of the bell crank and isadapted to engage with. the teeth of the ratchet 36. The pawl is heldagainst displacement by a spring 41. The shorter arm 42, of the bellcrank, extends rearwardly at about right angles to the arm 37, andcarries a sliding bolt 43, which forms one member of a clutch. Thesliding bolt 43, is supported in horizontal position upon the topsurface of the arm 42, and is partially inclo'sed within a box 44. Theouter extremity of the arm 42, has a vertical slot 45, formed therein,and a vertically depending pin 46, carried at the outer end of the bolt43, passes through the slot 45, and into.a slot 47, in a slottedcam-like clutch member 48. This slotted cam-like clutch member ispivoted to the inner endof a transverse sliding bar 49, which extendsoppositely to the arm 37 of the bell crank, and projects beyond the sideof the receptacle 21. A curved link 50, connects the outer exbeingsupported upon the 9 opening corresponding to the the clutch member 48.

tremity of the bar 49, to the side door 23, in the manner shown in Figs.4 and 12. The bar 49, is slidably secured in place by straps 51, seeFigs. 5, 8 and 9.

When the slotted cam-like clutch member is in its normal position, asshown in Fig. 5, the slot 47, is concentric with the edge of the disk 34so that the pin 46, will ordinarily ride to and fro in said slot whenthe bell crank is operated, without disturbing the position of However,when the station is reached where it is desired to deliver a.-package,the slotted cam-like clutch member 48, is automatically moved so thatthe pin 46, will seat in a notch or pocket 52, therein and at the nextmovement of the bell crank, open the door 23 and eject thepackage. Thisis accomplished by means of a pin 53, which is adapted to be placed inany one of the series of openings 35, the number of the openingcorresponding to the number of the station at which the package is to bedelivered. For instance if the pin is placed in the opening numbered 9as in Fig. 5, 8 and 9, of the drawings, the package will beautomatically delivered at the ninth station on the route of the car.

Each time the car passes through a station, the bell crank is moved'fromthe position shown in Fig. 5, to the position shown in Figs. 8 and 9,thereby giving the disk 34, onetwelfth of a revolution by means of thepawl 40, and ratchet 36. The bell crank is given this movement by adevice located at each station which will be hereinafter described.

When the car is between stations 6 and 7 the pin 53, will be in theposition shown in Fig. 5. As the car passes through station 7, the bellcrank assumes the position shown in Fig. 8, and by means of the pawl andratchet moves the disk 34, and the pin 53, one. step onward. As the carpasses through station 8, the pin 53, is moved another step in the samemanner as above. When the pin 53, makes this movement, it engages theoblique inner edge 54, of the slotted cam-like clutch member 48, andswingssaid clutch member outward on its pivot into the position shown inFig. 8. As the bell crank is returned to its normal posi tion by thespring 55, the pin 46, at the outer end of the bolt 43, rides back inthe slot 45, but owing to the altered position of the clutch member 48,the bolt 43, is partially drawn out against the tension of an extensionspring 56, secured at its ends to the inner end of the bolt and to a pinon the bell crank, see Fig. 10. When the bell crank reaches its normalposition the spring 56, draws the bolt 43, and seats the depending pin46, in the notch or pocket 52. Owing to the contour of the inner edge ofthe clutch member 48, the pin 53, maintains said clutch member in itsaltered position and a coiled extension spring 57, maintains the clutchvia:

pin. When the car passes through the next or ninth station, the bellcrank is given its customary movement but the pin 53, being seated inthe notch 52, cannot operate in the slot 45, but instead carries theclutch member 48, and therewith the bar 49, into the osition shown inFig. 9, thereby opening t e door 23, as shown in dotted lines in Fig.12.

A pawl 58, pivoted to the plate 31, by a bolt, engages the ratchet 36,and prevents any reverse movement of the disk 34, said pawl beingretained in operative position by a spring 59, see Figs. 5, 8 and 9.

The package is automatically ejected from the receptacle by a verticalhinged leaf or blade 60, which is hinged at its horizontal top edge tothe inner side of the wall of the receptacle 21, opposite the door 23.This blade 60, which is preferably made of thin stifl' sheet metal, ispreferably of the same size as the door 23, and when said door is closedhangs in vertical position within the receptacle and lies closelyagainst the side wall as shown in full lines in Fig. 12. A link or links61, con-- nect the blade 60, to the door 23-, being piv oted theretonear their vertical edges so as not to obstruct the interior of thereceptacle. -When the door is opened to deliver a package ashereinbefore described the blade 60, swings on its hinge into theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 12, and gives the package a smartpush or shove thereby ejecting it through the open' door. As the dooropens very rapidly owing to the speed at which the car passes throughthe station the movement ofthe blade 60, is very sharp so that thepackage leaves the rece tacle before the door resumes its normal or cosed position.

A box or hood 62, incloses the mechanism on top of the receptacle 21,and is secured to said top by hinges 63, so that it may belifted toexpose the mechanism within. Slots are formed in the sides ofthis box orhood to permit the operation of the bell-crank and the sliding bar 49,see Fig. 5.

The stati0ns.T he stations of which there may be any number along theroute of the car, are of similar construction and can be located atdesirable points without regard to the distances between them. 1 One ofthese stations is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6, to which referencewill be had in the following description. The station comprises avertical bar 64, which is bolted to one of the vertical portions of theU-shaped bracket 2, and a horizontal bar 65, secured to the upperextremity of the vertical bar 64. This vertical bar, which is located onthe side of the track nearest the bell crank on the top of the car, isbent outwardly near its upper end. The horizontal bar 65, extendsparallel with the rails 1, of the track in a longitudinal direction, butin a slightly oblique manner transversely to said rails see Figs. 1, 2and 6. An

member 48, in operative contact the IOO IIO

usual manner.

inclined rail 66, is located at each station'be I ing supported from oneof the rails by blocks 67, and insulated therefrom in the This inclinedrail is placed outside of the rail 1, and extends parallel therewith inthe mamier shown in Fig. 6. A light transverse rod 68, is secured to oneend of the horizontal bar65, and extends horizontally over the track toabout the middle thereof, and has its end bentso as to extend in ahorizontal direction. The package or packages to be collected aresupported from the longitudinal portion of the rod 68, by a string loopin the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2, where the package is indicated bythe numeral 69, and the string loop by the numeral 70.

As the car passes through the station, the front door 22, is opened toadmit the package into the receptacle 21, by the roller 29, which ridesupon the inclined rail 66, and gradually swings the door 22, on itspivot until it assumes the position shown in Fig. 2. The top of the boxor receptacle 21, is provided with a deep V-sh'aped notch or depression71, which catches the string loop 7 O, of the package 69, and removesthe package from its supporting rod 68, permitting it to drop into theopen end of the receptacle. The top edge of the end of the rod 69, iscurved. so as to permit the string loop to be easily disengagedtherefrom. When the package has been collected, the roller 69', ridesdown the short steep inclined portion of the rail 66, and permits thespring 27, to rapidly close the door.

The bell crank located on the top of the receptacle 21, and whichoperates the mech anism for opening the side door 23, is operated by theroller 38, contacting with and riding alon the obli arm 37, of the bellcrank into the position shown in Figs. 8 and 9. This operates themechanism as hereinbefore described.

The speed of the car is automatically reduced as it passes through thestations by means of raised portions 72, which extend for suitabledistances on each side of the stations and taper down at their ends asshown in Fig. 7.

The wheels 73, mounted upon the ends of the axles 10, are formed asshown in Figs. 4, 5, and 7,. Each wheelhas two peripheries or treads ofdiflerent diameters, the inner tread being approximately twice thediameter of the outer tread. A flange 74, is formed integral with eachwheel and serves to retain said wheels upon the rails 1. The wheels areinsulated from the axles by a core of insulating material to prevent theshort circuiting of the electric current.

When the car is traveling between stations, the larger treads of thewheels 73, ride ue inner surface of the r Y horlzontal har 65, w nchmoves the longer the rails 1, causing the car to travel at acomparatively high rate of speed. As the car nears a station, howeverthe Wheels strike the section of the track equipped wlth the raisedportions 72, upon which the smaller treads of-the wheelsrun, therebyraising the larger treads from the rails and reduc ng the speed of thecar.

ll [azlco Heating and delivering mechanism. Thls car is also adaptedto'carry mail and other matter inclosedwith boxes ofuniform shape andsize and to deliver and collect the same to and from the stations; saidmail 'collecting and delivering mechanism being independent of thepackage delivering and colectrng mechanism. In the construction embodiedin the accompanying drawings, the car is so arranged with reference tothe rails that the package collecting and delivering mechanism islocated above the rails and forms the upper or top portion of the car,and the mail collecting and deliverin mechanism below the rails in thelower or ottom part of the car- By this means the car is supported aboutmidway with part of its load above and part of its load below the rails.The mail ported from the body proper of the car and are detached fromand attached to said body as the car passes through the stations todeliver and collect the mail to and from the stations. These boxes 75,have oppositely extending horizontal pins upon which rollers 76 aremounted, said rollers being adapted to enter the slot 7, between theframe members 5 and 6, of the car and su port the boxes as shown in Fig.'4. The ont and rear ends of the slots 7, are inclosed by do s 77, and78, the dogs 77, bein automatical y depressed by the entranceo a box andreturned to their normal to prevent the displacement of the box. Thedogs 78, are 0 erated by cam blocks 79, on the horizontal bars 80 of thestations, so that the last box on the car may be Withdrawn from theslots 7, as the car passes throu h each station. Each station issupported by one of the U-shapiad brackets 2, and consists of a U-shapedbar 81 secured to the bracket 2, by bolts as shown in- Fig. 4. Thehorizontal bars 80, are secured to the upper ends of the verticalportions of the U-shaped bar 81.

\Vhen a large number of mail boxes are to be carried the car framemembers may be lengthened as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the rearextreme of the car supported by straps 82, dependin from an axle 83,having wheels 84, mounte upon its ends. Or the axles 10, may beseparated sufficiently so as to equally distribute the increased weightof the lengthened car between them.

The operation of this improved transport ing devlce isas follows-Theline is constructed on the loop system, that is beginposition by springsning and ending at a central station from 1 0 which the pletes its run.

When the operator at the central station receives notice, by telephoneor other means that there is a package at one of the stations which isto be brought into the central station and sent on from thence to itsdestination, he starts the car upon its journey by applying electricityto the rails 1. The electric current is conducted to the motors 12, bythe trolley wheels 13, trolley arms 14, metal plates 15, and wires 17and 18 thereby causing the axles to revolve. The door 22, is opened asthe car passes through each station by the mechanism and in the mannerhereinbefore described and when it reaches the station from which thepackage is to be collected, said package is received into the receptacle21, in the manner shown in Fig. 2. The car continues its journey untilit reaches the central station where the package is removed from the carand forwarded to its destination. at the central station and is to bedelivered to one of the sub-stations, the operator places the pin 53, inthe particular opening 35, in the disk 34, which bears the numbercorresponding to the number of the station to which it is desired tomake the delivery. The current is now applied to the rails 1, and thecar begins its journey in the manner above described. When thepredetermined station is reached the package is ejected in the mannerheretofore described in detail, and the car completes its run to thecentral station.

A Wire basket 85, or its equivalent is preferably located at eachstation to receive the packages as they are delivered, the basket beingsecured to the rails 1, as shown in Fig. 4, or secured in any suitablemanner.

I claim-as my invention- 1. In a transportation system, plurality ofstations and a car supported om the rails having independent isms fordelivering and collecting mail and delivering and collecting packages.

2. In a transportation system, rails, a plurality of stations and a carsupported from the rails having a mail delivering and collectingmechanism and a package delivering and collecting mechanism; saidmechanisms being independently and automatically operated.

3. In a transportation system, rails, a plurality of stations and a carsupported fromthe rails having two independent and automatically 0erable collecting and delivering mechanisms, one for packages andanother for mail.

4. In a transportation system, rails, a plurality of stations and a carsupported from the rails having an automatic mail collecting anddelivering mechanism and an When a package is received rails, a

mechancar starts and at which it cdin "'mdejiendent. antomgtip packagecollecting I and delivering mechanism.

plurality of stations, a car supported from delivering mechanism, aseparate from the mail collecting and delivering 'mechanism, andautomatic mechanism for delivering a package vfrom the packagereceptacle at any predetermined station.

6. In a transportation system, rails, a plurality of stations, a car suported from the rails and having 'a mail co lecting and deliveringmechanism, a package receptacle separate from the mail carrying mechamsmprovided with a front swing door and a package supiport located at oneof the stations and a apted to sup ort a packagein position to becollectedt rough said swing door as the car passes said station.

7 In a transportation system, rails, a station, a car supported from therails, a package receptacle carried by said car, a separate packagereceptacle independent mail collecting and delivering mec anism andautomatic delivering and collecting means for the package receptacle.

8. In a transportation system, rails, a station, a car supported fromthe rails, a package receptacle carried by said car having a frontcollecting opening and'a side delivering opening, a se arate independentmail collecting and de 'vering mechanism andautomatic delivering andcollecting mechamsm for the package receptacle.

9. In a transportation system, rails, a station, a car supported fromthe rails, apackage receptacle carried by said car, a package supportlocated over the rails and a package receiving tray located at one sideof the rails, a separate inde endent mail collecting and delivering mecanism and automatic de livering and collecting mechanisms for thepackage receptacle.

10. In a transportation system, rails, a package support above therails, apackage receiver at one side of the rails, and a "ar sup portedfrom the rails and having a package receptacle mounted thereon and provded with a front opening for collecting from the package support and aside opening for discharging into the package receive r.

11. In a transportation system, rails, a package support, above therails, a package receiver at one side of the rails, and a car supportedfrom the rails and having a package receptacle mounted thereon andprovided with a front swing door adapted to open to collect from thepackage support and a side swing door adapted to open to permitdlscharging into the receiver.

12. In a transportation system, rails, a

station, a package support adjacent to the' station located over therails, a car supported 5. In a transportation system, rails, a

IIS

tion, a package support adjacent to the staalso discharging a package.

a car having support from the rails and carrywith an upper packagereceptacle and a pluupon'which the roller is adapted to travel.

tion having a package receiver, a car supportindependent mechanism forcollecting and from the rails and having a package recep- I taclemounted thereon and provided with a 1 front swing door and means foropening the door, -whereby a ackage on the support is automatically piced up.

13. In a transportation system, rails, astat1on, a car supported fromthe rails and having a swing door provided with an arm having a roller,and an inclined rail at the station 14. In a transportation system,rails, a staed from the rails and having a mail collecting anddelivering mechanism and a separate package receptacle provided with adischarge opening and a swing door closing said "opening and mechanismfor opening said door and 15. In a transportation system, rails, and acar having support from the rails and carrying an upper packagereceptacle and a plurality of lower mail receptacles which areindependent of the package receptacle.

16. In a transportation system, rails, and 1 in an upper packagereceptacle and a plura ity of lower separate independent individual mailreceptacles. A

17. In a transportation system, rails, a car having support from therails and provided rality of detachable mail receptacles hung from thecar beneath the package receptacle.

18. In a transportation system, rails, a car having support from therails and provided with an upper comparatively large package receptacleand a series of small mail receptacles suspended beneath the packagerecep tacle, a station, mechanism at the station for detaching a mailreceptacle from the car and discharging packages at the station.

19. A car having a skeleton body, a plurality of detachable individualmail receptacles depending from said body and an upper packagereceptacle mounted upon said body, mechanism for detaching and attachingmail receptacles to and from the car and independent mechanism fordischarging and collecting packages.

20. A car having a skeleton body, a plu- 5 rality of detachableindividual mail recepl tacles depending from said body and an up perpackage-receptacle undetachably mount' upon said body, automatic meansfor detaching mail receptacles from the car and automatic means forejecting packages from the package receptacle.

22. Askeleton car composed of two separated side members, a plurality ofmail receptacles detachably supported between the side members and anupper package receptacle permanently mounted on the car which is en?tirely independent of the mail receptacles.

23. A mail collecting and distributing car having a plurality ofdetachable individual mail receptacles depending therefrom and aseparate package receptacle permanently mounted thereon.

24. A combined mail and package collecting and distributing carcomprising a skeleton frame between the members of which mail boxes areremovably su ported, and a'sepa-- rate package receptac e mounted on theskeleton frame.

25. A collecting and distributing car'having a receptacle provided witha side ejecting opening and a front collecting opening.

26. In a transportation system, IEillS, a car supported by the rails andhaving a receptacle for packages provided with a front collectingopening and a support for packages located in proximity to the rails andadapted to support a package in the path of the car whereby a package onthe support will be automatically picked .up as the car passes.

27. A car of the class described,comprising a skeleton body composed oftwo parallel side members, a plurality of comparatively smallreceptacles depending between the members of the body and a separatecomparatively large receptacle mounted permanently on said body.

WILLIAM C. CARR. \Vitnesses:

L. M. SANGSTER, GEO. A. NEUBAUER.

